Ageing is an inevitable process in life, so there really is no reason to stress about it and in fact, stress makes the ageing process go even more quickly, so let’s not stress! Let’s look at some of the things we can do to reduce the appearance of ageing, including anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers, which we offer here at Harpenden Smiles.

Ways to reduce the appearance of ageing

Get Active – exercise has a multitude of benefits, it increases energy, releases endorphins to our bodies, which sends messages to our brains to make us feel better. The anti-ageing benefits are numerous too, it keeps your skin feeling soft and looking glowing and improves your posture, which can knock decades off you.

Eat a healthy diet – as well as eating a healthy balanced diet, which includes fruit and vegetables, there are some other foods, which are said to combat ageing. These include walnuts, avocados, fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel, sunflower seeds and sweet potatoes. Foods such as green leafy vegetables, berries and teas are also full of anti-oxidants so it is a must to include these in your diet.

Sleep – when you have a good night’s sleep, it gives the skin cells time to regenerate and the skin produces new collagen, which prevents skin sagging. More collagen also means the skin is plumper and less likely to wrinkle.

The facial muscles get a chance to relax, which in turn creates fewer wrinkles and fine lines.
Therefore, good sleep can ward off fine lines and wrinkles and can reduce the signs of ageing.

You are aiming for between 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night to make a difference to your appearance.

Facial Aesthetics – there are non-surgical facial treatments, which can reduce lines and wrinkles, and can boost a person’s confidence and enhance the appearance of the skin.

These treatments include anti-wrinkle injections – where an extremely fine needle is used to place small amounts of purified protein into the skin. These injections aid in relaxing muscles, which stop the skin from creasing. A numbing cream is applied before the treatment starts, so there is little or no pain involved. There is also no recovery time after the procedure, which makes this a popular choice with our clients.

Anti-wrinkle injections are often used for forehead lines, frown lines, vertical lip lines and crow’s feet. Treatment time takes around 10-15 minutes and results appear within a few days. The injections are specifically targeted so they produce natural-looking results and the number of injections you require will depend on the size of the area being treated.

Dermal Fillers – these are used to enhance the skin’s appearance by smoothing out lines and plumping up areas of the skin, which have lost elasticity. Dermal fillers are used to achieve several rejuvenation results.

These include contouring of the chin and cheeks, filling deep lines, correcting acne or chicken pox scars and restoring fullness to the lips, which gives a more youthful, plumper lip.

Dermal fillers do not hurt as an anaesthetic numbing cream is applied to the area to be treated to minimise any discomfort. Tiny amounts of a safe, gel-like filler are injected with an ultra-fine needle into the area to be treated. There is no recovery period and the results appear instantly and last for several months.

If you would like to discuss any of our facial aesthetics treatments we offer, including anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers, and skin peels; please contact the dental practice on 01582 763 420.

Christmas is just around the corner, and amongst all the hustle and bustle of Christmas shoppers on our high streets, trying to find the perfect gift, have you thought about what your perfect Christmas gift would be?

Could it be more confidence in your smile? To have whiter and brighter teeth, which could take years off you? If the answer is yes, then Zoom Teeth Whitening could be the perfect gift for you.

The highly effective teeth whitening system is available at our practice and it gently lightens your teeth to enhance your natural tooth colour. The use of a combination of in-surgery and at-home treatments provides both immediate and long-lasting results.

Pros of Zoom Whitening

Immediate results – the patient can see they have whiter teeth immediately after the treatment, which gives them instant results they can be happy with.

Long lasting – the treatment includes the in-surgery treatment and then gel applications to use at home, which makes the results last longer. Patients can also buy more top-up gels to prolong the whiteness. If you take good care of your teeth and try to avoid staining foods and drinks, such as red wine, coffee and beetroot, soya sauce etc, then your teeth whitening could last between 1-2 years.

Less sensitivity – there is a common idea that people using teeth whitening treatments suffer with sensitive teeth after the process. Zoom has considerably less sensitivity than other procedures. However, it should be performed safely in a dental practice.

How to achieve your perfect smile!

We use five steps to achieve your perfect smile. First, we would carry out a pre-treatment consultation, where we assess your teeth and gums and sometimes take x-rays to ascertain that your teeth are healthy enough to be suitable for the treatment.

We then take impressions of your teeth, in order to make custom-made teeth whitening trays. We also take some ‘before‘ photos, noting the colour of your teeth on our chart, so we can track the shade that you would like your teeth to be.

Step three is when you come back in a week later to see that your trays fit perfectly. These trays will protect your gums and make sure the gel only goes in the desired places. You will be instructed on how to use the trays at home and will wear these for a week at home.

At the next appointment, you are ready for your Zoom Whitening! Firstly, we protect the gums and lips and add the stain busting gel to the teeth. Then, we use the specially designed light to activate the gel. We continuously monitor this and take the teeth to the desired shade we previously agreed with you. You can usually go up to 8 shades lighter.

We will then provide the home kit, which should be used for the next few days. The final step would be a review appointment, which would involve some more ‘after’ photos and you can accurately compare the ‘before’ and ‘after’ treatment results.

If you would like to get the Christmas gift of whiter, brighter teeth in
time for the Christmas period, then please contact the dental practice on 01582 763 420 to make an appointment.

Here at Harpenden Smiles, we love a good wedding! It’s the lovely atmosphere of the day and the notion that everyone is gathered there to celebrate the couple’s love and to wish them well on their life journey together.

The ‘big day’ can, however, be a little overwhelming for the bride and groom sometimes, with all those months or even years of organising finally coming together for the final crescendo. One thing you don’t want to be worried about is whether your smile looks good and how it will come across in the photographs.

Often the happy couple have spent hours researching and choosing the right caterer and entertainment as well as choosing the right photographer for them, not to mention the small fortune often paid out. So, why not make sure that you are feeling as confident as you can possibly be on your big day. We don’t just mean the all-important bride, the groom should also feel at his best and that is why it’s a good idea to look at a smile makeover for your big day.

Harpenden Smiles offer four smile makeover wedding packages to help you both feel great on your wedding day and to suit your wedding budget. All the packages include X-Rays and a treatment plan as well as a hygiene session, which includes AirFlow Stain Removal Treatment. They also all offer teeth whitening, so that your teeth can look sparkly white in the wedding photographs.

The Gold Package also includes an anti-wrinkle treatment/lip filler and the Platinum Package includes a quick braces option of Invisalign, the virtually invisible braces and Six Month Smiles, which can straighten out your teeth in as little as six months.

If teeth discolouration is your bug bear then you could opt for veneers, which is included in the Platinum Package. The dental practice is offering finance options at your request, so contact us to find out more on 01582 763420.

The Wedding Show

Country Wedding Events are hosting the Wedding Show on Sunday 7th October 2018 from 12 noon to 4 pm and Harpenden Smiles will also be attending.

Free entry, goody bag for all couples and the opportunity to win your dream honeymoon.

Make sure you come down and say hello! The venue is the Mercure St Albans Noke Hotel on Watford Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL2 3DS

There are numerous products emerging in the dental industry all the time and sometimes as a consumer, it can be hard to keep up with the latest developments. Your dentist should be on hand to talk you through any procedures you may have heard or read about and are interested in.

CEREC is one such emerging technique, which has been designed to make it easier to produce and fit made to measure crowns, and in fact, it’s so quick, the whole treatment can be done in one day!

In the past, fitting a crown could take numerous dental visits, with the crown being sent away to a laboratory for several weeks and a temporary crown being fitted. This often resulted in it being a fairly lengthy and costly procedure. However, with CEREC technology, your dentist can take a digital image of your tooth and produce a computerised 3D model within the dental practice.

The crown can then also be made on-site instead of being sent to the laboratory. It is designed and shaped by the highly advanced computer programme, which shapes the crown from ceramic. The ceramic comes in a wide range of shades, which makes it easy to match to the colour of the surrounding teeth. The whole design and production process can sometimes be completed within as little as 30 minutes.

There is no need for temporary crowns and you are left with a long lasting, natural looking, metal free tooth.
If you would like to find out about our same day crowns service, using the advanced CEREC technology, please feel free to contact us at the practice on 01582 763 420 to make your appointment.

There are so many benefits of having good oral hygiene, not only does it mean you have fresh breath, healthy gums and teeth, but recent studies have also shown that good oral hygiene is related to our overall health and wellbeing. An unhealthy mouth, especially if it has gum disease, may increase the risk of a person suffering problems such as strokes, heart attacks and diabetes.

Regular, six-monthly hygienist appointments should be part of your good oral hygiene regime. Your hygienist will remove plaque and tartar buildup and general stains from your teeth. They will give them a scale and polish, which creates a lovely silky feeling when they’ve finished.

Let’s explore further some of the reasons why having good oral hygiene is so important.

Save money – looking after your teeth and having regular hygienist appointments can prevent further expensive dental treatment bills from occurring as prevention is better than cure.

Prevents gum disease – with regular hygiene appointments, gingivitis can be minimised. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and is caused by plaque build-up, which leads to gum inflammation and bleeding gums. The second stage of gum disease is known as periodontis and this is where the plaque and caculus can be found below the gum line. Pockets are formed as the gums pull away from the teeth. These pockets are perfect for bacteria and food debris to get trapped in, which causes further decay and a foul smelling odour.

Fresh breath – your mouth needs to be cleaned twice a day and regular six monthly hygiene appointments are seen as your regular deep clean. This will help to keep your breath fresh.

Reduce your chances of stroke or heart disease – studies have shown that bacteria from the mouth can find its way into your bloodstream, which can, in turn, increase your risk of heart disease or suffering from a stroke.

Minimise chances of diabetes – there are links between serious gum disease and diabetes. High blood sugar levels damage blood vessels and this reduces the supply of oxygen and nourishment to the gums, which can make infections of the gums and bones more likely.

Direct Access Hygiene

Following a change to practice law from the General Dental Council in 2013, you no longer need to see a dentist first before you can see a hygienist. We have direct access visits to Laura, our hygienist, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and alternate Mondays and Saturdays.

Mouth Cancer Action Month runs throughout November and is designed primarily to raise awareness of mouth cancer, highlighting what it is and what the signs and symptoms are for early detection. This early detection can literally save lives, so it is important to spread the word.

Mouth Cancer – Signs and Symptoms

If you notice any changes in your mouth or are worried about your oral health in any way, it is important to make an appointment to visit your dentist. Some of the symptoms of mouth cancer are listed below:-

• Mouth ulcers that do not heal or go away in three weeks
• Unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth or head or neck area
• Red and white patches in the mouth

Mouth Cancer – Examination

The good news is that as part of the drive to reduce mouth cancer, dentists already perform visual checks when you visit for a check-up. This visual examination is nothing to be concerned about, and usually consists of:-

• A visual check of the head and neck to see if there are any noticeable swellings or bumps.
• A feel of your lips, they may pull down the lower lip to see if there are any sores or changes in colour. Upper lips will also be checked.
• A check of the roof of your mouth to see any change in colour or any lumps.
• A look at your tongue, they may ask you to stick it out and move it from side to side to check for ulcers.
• A check for lumps, swellings or ulcers on the floor of the mouth.

If you notice any unusual lumps, bumps or changes in colour within your mouth, face and neck, the message is clear ‘ if in doubt get checked out.’

Mouth Cancer – Who is affected

Sadly, mouth cancer takes the lives of over 2,000 people every year. This figure is more than testicular cancer, and cervical cancer put together. If mouth cancer is spotted early, then the chances of recovery are good. That is why it is so important to keep up with those six-monthly check-up appointments with your dentist. These appointments are important even if you wear dentures and particularly if you smoke and drink alcohol.

Mouth cancer can affect anyone of any age. Mouth cancers have traditionally been found more commonly in men over 40. However, research has shown that mouth cancer is now becoming more common in younger patients and women.

There are many ways to get involved in Mouth Cancer Awareness Month. Please see further information on the Oral Health Foundation website at: www.mouthcancer.org/get-involved

‘It is a sport in which the participants necessarily come into bodily contact with one another.’ Sports such as football, hockey, rugby and boxing are all considered contact sports and mouth guards should be worn by those participants. Just as you’d wear a helmet when riding your bike, you wear a mouth guard while playing sports.

Mouth guards really are an essential bit of kit when it comes to playing sports. Dental injuries are the most common type of facial injury in sports, and a mouth guard can protect your teeth, jaw, neck and brain. They most commonly protect you against chipped or broken teeth and broken or dislocated jawbones. In fact, according to The American Dental Association, 200,000 oral injuries are prevented every year by wearing a mouth guard.

The new rugby season is nearly upon us and all participants at our local club, the Harpenden Rugby Club, will require a mouth guard to be able to play. We are pleased to announce that Harpenden Smiles has teamed up with the Harpenden Rugby Club and will be offering a mobile clinic to tailor make your sports mouth guards on 31st August 2017.

To get a mouth guard fitted, you can attend the Harpenden Rugby Club on 31st August 2017 between 17:00-18:00. Please send us a message on Facebook with your preferred time slot and your email address, and we will reply confirming your booking via email.

We can create the mouth guards in just two days, which is a task in itself, but to top it off, the mouth guards can also be branded and are available in a great range of colours.
If you can’t make it on the day, just call the practice on 01582 763420 to book your mouth guard fitting appointment.

It only takes one sporting accident to destroy your smile, as well as your bite, so avoid the time, money and pain that an oral injury could cause by wearing a perfectly fitted mouth guard. If you keep it in your sports bag, you will always have it to hand for when the time arises that you play sport and need to be protected.

Did you know that as many as two-thirds of Brits, some 67%, of people admit to being apprehensive when it comes to visiting the dentist for a check-up? This statistic came from Oral Health Foundation and Oral-B, and the poll also showed that the biggest reason behind this apprehension was the fear of pain and discomfort, followed closely by worries about the dental costs.

Campaigners from the charity initiative, National Smile Month, which is currently running from May 15th to June 15th, are hoping to alleviate some of this stress and anxiety associated with visiting your dentist. They are looking to reassure patients that there is nothing to be nervous about while visiting your dentist and the importance of overcoming this anxiety to look after your oral health.

Oral-B Ambassador, Dr Uchenna Okoye, has suggested five different ways that people can eliminate dental concerns and anxieties, which we detail here;

1) Communication – Speak with your dentist about any fears you have. A good dentist will always take your fears seriously, and they are well trained to deal with anxious patients. You could speak with friends or family members for recommendations of good dentists.
2) Easy does it – if you ease yourself into dental appointments, this may make your visits easier. You could start gradually and make an appointment for a check-up and clean and polish, then work up to a more extensive treatment appointment once the trust has been established between the dentist and patient.
3) The Early bird catches the worm – not literally of course, but if you book an early appointment, you will have less time to dwell on any worries. Plus you could always take a friend or family member with you.
4) Music to my ears – you could try taking headphones and your own music to listen to. This can put people at ease during their appointment.
5) Prevention is better than cure – if you look after your oral health by brushing twice a day, regularly flossing, using mouthwash and visiting your dentist every six months, this can aid in preventing any dental issues occurring in the first place.

Here at Harpenden Smiles, we welcome nervous patients. From the first time you enter our dental practice, you will be greeted by a friendly smile at our reception, and this welcoming approach will continue throughout your time with us. We want you to have a smile-filled dental experience.

Child tooth removal is at ‘crisis point’ doctors warn (BBC News). Shocking figures are revealing that hospitals in England are seeing thousands (26 000) of very young children (aged five to nine) each year needing baby teeth removed!

A national dental health survey found almost half of eight-year-olds have signs of decay in their milk teeth. Tooth decay is preventable – largely by limiting sugary food and drink and making sure children visit the dentist regularly, as well as brushing their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

With this in mind, the team at Harpenden Smile’s had another great day teaching the kids from a local school in Harpenden about looking after their teeth – we are on the mission!

Dental Implants are an artificial replacement for a tooth’s root. They fit directly into your jawbone and hold crowns or false teeth in place. They work in the same way as roots work with natural teeth.

A dental implant, which is usually cylindrical or a tapered post made of titanium, is placed surgically into the jawbone. As you heal, the implant will fuse with your natural jawbone, and the two grow together to form a very strong and long-lasting foundation for your replacement teeth. This fusing and healing process can take anything from a few weeks to a few months.

Once the implant fuses with the jawbone, a small connector called an abutment is placed on top of the dental implant to connect the implant to the replacement tooth or teeth. The individual tooth, dentures or an implant-supported bridge are then attached to the abutment.

So, you’ve decided to take the plunge; what happens next?

You’ll be asked to have some x-rays so that your dentist can check where your nerves are and the shape of your jawbone and decide where best to place the implant. If the x-rays do not provide enough information, you may require a CT scan.
You will more than likely be given local anaesthetic for the procedure, this completely blocks the pain in your mouth, but you will stay awake throughout the procedure. You may also be given a sedative, which can relax any anxiety you may feel and to help you completely relax.

Occasionally you may have to go into hospital and have a general anaesthetic, but this is fairly rare.

Aftercare of your dental implants

Your dentist will give you instructions on how to look after your implant, and they may give you some painkillers. Cleaning around the teeth attached to the implants is just like cleaning your natural teeth, but there may be some hard to reach areas, and you should be shown how to clean these areas.

You may need to visit your dental hygienist more often. If you look after your implants, they can last as long as your natural teeth.

Top tip – it is really important that the dentist who performs your procedure has had training in placing implants. Don’t be afraid to ask your dentist how much experience they have with fitting dental implants.

For further information visit our website at www.harpendensmiles.co.uk/dental-care/restorative-dentistry/dental-implants
Or call for a consultation or to book an appointment on 01582 280 745.